The National tribune., 1887-12-22

Bay, and preferred the risk of drowning or
being blown mp by torpedoes in the river, TO
another chase through the rebel lines at Ma
nassas; and as / was in no condition for long
walks at night, ] thought il would be better 10
foat out OF rebeldom into the Union and under
the old flag.
Gov Letcher frequently entertained great
crowds at the elegant mansion provided by the
State FOR her Governor, and the people OF Rich
mOnd seemed TO pay more attention 10 their
Governor than 10 President Davis. j could
hear occasionally OF some friction between the
Confederate and the State Government OF
course the authorities did not allow this TO be-
come generally known, but there was certainly
good deal Of this feeling in Richmond even
as early as lsGl.
The State OF Virginia had before the war a
regularly organized standing army Of Its own.
There were but a few Of these regular troops,
who were not az all like the militia Of other
States, but permanent establishment with a
separate uniform Of their own. and under pay
and control OF the Governor of the State Of Nir-
ginia. These few Virginia troops were distinct
from the Coniederates wearing quite fancy
uniform Their principal duty seemed 70 be TO
act rs sort Of I" Pope's Guard TO Gov. Letcher
at his entertainments.
There Were always several Of them on duty
about the Capitol grounds in the capacity of
guards or police; and as a consequence there
were numerous conflicts between the Confed-
crate officials and soldiers and this Governors
guard. / saw one alteration which resulted
in a shooting and running match the Conied-
crate winning the race over what he termed
the liycricd hireling Virginia Yankee
had been giving the telegraph Office pretty
wide berth during the early part Of my stay in
Richmond, fearing that should meet someone
who had known me at Manassas began, how
ever, TO stop ai the large glass windows Of their
AN4HHn - IL HInf "a
yahoOs always gathered there attracted by the
mysterious ticllings Of the instruments, which
were all in sight from the street. Operators who
could read by sound were not numerous then,
and il was never thought necessary 10 prevent
persons from hearing the sounds of the instru-
ments. l was very careful always TO FIRST scru-
tinize the faces of all the operators before any
OF them should have an opportunity to irst see
me.
To make reading by sight" palmer TO those
who are not familier with the mysteries Of the
telegraph, j will explain that the right aud left
motions Of the signal flags whichwere used IN the
army, represent exactly the same principle OF
reading characters by movement. This can be
done through even so small space as that
usually taken by the ticking lever of tele-
graph instrument, and its operation may be as
light and quick in its action as the second
hand of a watch.
My telegraph operations were interrupted for
while by personal incident that occurred
while was still supposed 10 he on sick leave.
One night was in the barber shop of sur hotel
/ getting myself primped for an evening out with
my Maryland boys. While lying back in the
BARRIERS chair, all covered up with lather and
towels, was startled 10 see through the glass in
my front an appariton that had an awful effect
on my nerves for the time. / saw walking
! right up TO my barber the Superintendent OF
/ the Railway Station at Manassas. the identical
gentleman TO whom i had been sent by Gen
Beauregard.
My barber held his razor in his hand while
he stopped 10 tell this gentleman that his turn
would be after me-"
1 TO be continued